IRVINE, CA – Just before 3:00 a.m. Irvine police officers responded to the report of a burglary in progress on Winterfield. Arriving officers spotted the suspect, 19-year-old, Matthew Kozlov of Anaheim Hills, leaving the area. Kozlov fled, running through several neighboring properties and was ultimately found hiding in a nearby backyard and was arrested without incident.

Officers believe Kozlov ransacked and stole items from a vehicle parked inside the victim’s garage. They also believe he gained entry to the garage by using a garage door opener stolen from the victim’s second car parked in the driveway of the location. At the time of his arrest, stolen property was recovered from at least three additional thefts from vehicles on Winterfield, Copperleaf and Windarbor. In each case, the stolen property was removed from unlocked vehicles.

Matthew Kozlov

Kozlov was booked at the Orange County Jail for residential burglary, possession of stolen property, petty theft and resisting/obstructing officers. He is being held in lieu of $50,000 bail.

The Irvine Police Department is urging residents to remove items of value from view in vehicles and to always close the windows and lock doors of any vehicle being left unattended, even when parked inside of a garage. Roughly half of all thefts from vehicles in Irvine are perpetrated by opportunistic thieves entering unlocked vehicles to take property left in plain view.

Since its incorporation in 1971, Irvine has become a nationally recognized city, with a population of 242,651, spans 66 square miles and is recognized as one of America’s safest and most successful master-planned urban communities. Top-rated educational institutions, an enterprising business atmosphere, sound environmental stewardship, and respect for diversity all contribute to Irvine’s enviable quality of life. This family-friendly city features more than 16,000 acres of parks, sports fields and dedicated open space and is the home of the Orange County Great Park – the first great metropolitan park of the 21st century. For more information, please visit cityofirvine.org.